What processor competes with best preamp?

I own a Primare P30 pre/pro to go with my 2-channel system. I've compared it side-by-side to the fairly highly rated Ayre k3-x pre-amp. The P30 was much more transparent and detailed than the k3-x. The k3-x was a bit more musical and sweet sounding but I believe the K3-X had much coloration that resulted in that sweet sound. For whatever it's worth, the K3 was rated Class A by Stereophile about a year ago. The K3-X is an upgraded and sonically superior version of the original K3 again according to Stereophile mag.

The P30 has a by-pass mode that provides 100% analog for 2-channel music. I've also compared the P30 in-home to the Conrad-Johnson PV-14 pre-amp and Electropaniet's pre-amp. There was no comparison. The P30 was clearly superior sonically.

Primare is a little-known Swedish company and the unit retails for about $4k. The P30 is among the cheaper components in my system (my 2-ch. amp retails for $7k, my speakers for $8,700, and my 2-ch. SACD/CD player for $5k) and I have been extremely satisfied with it's performance.

-John (IMO)

Thank you John for your descriptive follow-up.I'm sure this will help others who have had my same thoughts.I will now upgrade my system to have the best of both worlds.

Yes- Sim Audio Attraction

I'd suggest putting the Theta Casablanca with the Xtreme DACs on your short list to listen too.

I second the PRIMARE P30. Got one... love it. I'm all LINN activ except for the Primare. Bypass mode really does the trick. Not a lot of fancy stuff, just good clean sound. Check Simuko.com.